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When a child actress is called a vile name by an long-running satire site, a beautiful young singer is labeled a stoner for wearing dreadlocks and a phenomenal 13-year old-female athlete is called a slut, they deserve more than a canned, robotic mea culpa.

It feels like Hollywood is finally starting to get what so many of us knew all along; audiences want to see diversity. Yet somehow, at this exciting moment of progress for the industry, Deadline Hollywood found it appropriate to publish what can only be described as a call for regression.

John's life has a lesson for us today. His struggle -- our struggle -- for a just society, for true equality and respect -- is not over. Far from it. All we have to look at is the widespread assault on the Voting Rights Act today. But like him, we cannot walk away; we cannot give up.

There's nothing to be happy about -- no feel-good takeaways -- when a middle school girl gets insulted by a man and has to speak up for him so he can continue a baseball career no one gives a fuck about. She is not supposed to be anyone's savior or protector. We need to be saving and protecting her.

Channeling the revolutionary essence of the Harlem Renaisance, Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly is a gripping, soul-driven melodrama that masterfully depicts the story of a courageous young man fighting through the painful process of liberating himself.

In our everyday fights to silence the racist chants of misguided college students and stifle overaggressive police who racially profile black children, we must reach the finish line. The next generation should never have to question whether their lives matter.

Despite past voting obstacles, there are compelling reasons for blacks in Ferguson to rush to barricades this time to vote. One is the prospect of a regime change. Another is they could move to dump the racket that city officials have run for years that criminalizes virtually the city entire black population. Another is there's no excuse.

The n-word has the blood of thousands of lynchings, beatings, and other horrific crimes melded between its letters, meshed in its very fibers. So, why do some white people want the right to use this abhorrent word again?

I was running errands with my youngest two children in tow when an acquaintance of ours spotted us and came over to say hello. She looked at my son, marveling over how much he had grown.
"Yes," I smiled, "He's a big boy!" She replied, "Such a cute little thug." My son is 2 years old.

While we applaud Starbucks for their effort to engage a topic that many seek to avoid, and while their efforts seem well-intentioned, we, as a national racial justice organization, with a name similar to the hashtag used in the campaign feel compelled to say: as a nation, we need more.

Funding for school policing programs has expanded and more school-based police are being armed with the same weapons cops carry on the streets. This expansion has not come with significant strings attached or proper guidelines.

With all due respect to Pastors Creflo and Taffi, instead of wasting community funds on frivolous expenses like a Gulfstream G650, maybe you should spend more time reaching out to the community in order to understand what they need, and how you can use your ministry to support them!

I have benefitted from black gay privilege throughout my career as a senior human resources, financial and diversity officer. I have accessed spaces and opportunities that "stereotypical" black men were not able to access.

Until the age of 16 swimming was something that took over my life; between two-a-day practices, traveling for competitions, and supporting teammates, my time was mostly spent in the pool or cheering right next to it.

Last week, the Presidents and Deans of America's 13 United Methodist Seminaries -- representing over 5,000 seminarians, including over 1,000 African-Americans -- wrote a thoughtful open letter outlining a vision from which all of us, whatever our faith tradition, can learn.

Reality Bites

Reality Bites
The reality TV show phenomenon is showing no signs of slowing down -- as long as viewers keep watching the shows. BlackVoices.com takes a quick look at some of the most notable personalities within the reality series realm. Join us.

Russell SimmonsAffiliation: 'Running Russell Simmons' on OxygenSide Note: Before the Def Jam co-founder got his own reality show, he appeared sporadically on his business partner and ex-wife Kimora Lee Simmons' hit E! show 'Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane.'

Melanie BrownAffiliation: 'Mel B: It's a Scary World' on The Style NetworkSide Note: Mel B is affectionately known as Scary Spice from the British pop group the Spice Girls, but she made a career comeback on the competition series 'Dancing With the Stars.'

Kandi BurrussAffiliation: 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta'Side Note: Though she was in her own platinum-selling girl group, Xscape, this Atlanta native won her only Grammy Award for penning 'No Scrubs' for fellow ATL girl group TLC.

Fantasia BarrinoAffiliation: 'Fantasia For Real' on VH1Side note: The 'American Idol' champion (2005) is a best-selling author ('Life is Not a Fairytale') and garnered critical acclaim as Miss Celie in the Broadway musical 'The Color Purple.'

Holly Robinson PeeteAffiliation: 'The Celebrity Apprentice 3' on NBCSide Note: The 'Hanging with Mr. Cooper' actress and her husband/former NFL quarterback Rodney Peete created the HollyRod Foundation in 1997 to honor her late father Matt Robinson who died of Parkinson's Disease and also to raise money for families who are affected by autism.

Al B. SureAffiliation: 'Donald J. Trump Presents: The Ultimate Merger'Side note: While vying for Omarosa's love during the show's first season, the former 'Apprentice' star described the R&B crooner as; "the ultimate romantic and perfect gentleman. He sets the tone for all of the bachelors on how to properly court a woman."

Trey SongzAffiliation: 'Trey Songz: My Moment' on BETSide Note: Born Tremaine Aldon Neverson, this Virginia native, originally put out diss mixtapes aimed at R. Kelly, but quashed his beef with the legendary Chicago crooner when he enlisted Kels help to produce 'Grub On' off his 2007 album 'Trey Day.'

Dwight EubanksAffiliation: 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta'Side Note: Although he remains a flamboyant bi-sexual, Eubanks, who owns his own Atlanta hair salon owner, told Essence magazine in 2009 that he was engaged to be married to an Atlanta woman.

Brandi SimpkinsAffiliation: 'House of Glam' on OxygenSide Note: The Howard University graduate's The B. Lynn Group quickly became the go-to image agency after stylist Crystal Streets nailed Jay-Z as her third client – helping him craft his style persona.

Comments: (89)

By: Jean on 1/31/2011 8:02PM

Neutral

Deborah, NeNe is not in the wrong with her marriage. The man is the kind of man everyone is speaking of about Peter. He was broke when she got with him. He has had an affair on her several as a matter of fact. He has cause her to lose several friends. Then he goes on public media and talks about their personal busy. That is a big NO NO! Now I'm not saying NeNe doesn't have issues. But I will say I take my hat off to her for been faithful although he hasn't and cause many problems in their marriage. Deborah you must not been watching very long. NeNe don't need to figure out what wrong with her husband she knows. And it's not petty stuff. As I stated above how he spoke ill of her on the radio to a stranger whom he barely knew. Now NeNe was very much out of line with the recent situation Kim. I was very shock with the way she handle herself.

By: joed on 1/30/2011 11:02AM

High Ranked

hey black folks, would you be calling him ugly if he was white-skinned? i think not. so, stop self-hating. because alot of you posting are just as black. and are being called ugly everyday by the white ran media. that's why you don't see reflections of yourself. self-hate is suicide.

By: Brooke E. on 1/31/2011 4:41PM

By: Luci Liu on 2/01/2011 1:40AM

Highest Ranked

Ugly is ugly no matter what color the skin. Beauty's only skin deep, but ugly is to the bone, and Peter is SHOT! He's a cross between Uncle Ben's ugly brother, and a crusty-ass roach! U know U laughing! :>)

By: Michael on 1/28/2011 7:50PM

By: ichuse2 on 1/28/2011 8:20PM

Neutral

LOL...He was just being honest...I like all the Atlanta housewives to some extent...I really like Cynthia...I hope this marriage works out for her...he seems to really love her...he was on point with most of what he said...they are big girls they can take it!!!!!

By: Sonya on 1/28/2011 9:39PM

Neutral

even though I do not like Peter's attitude towards Cynthia or in general, i agree with the quotes made of the other housewives. He should be happy someone as beautiful as Cynthia wants his old butt! He should pay her money back too

By: Cyndy on 1/28/2011 10:07PM

Neutral

Uh, not to be petty or anything, but has anyone else noticed the lack of teeth in NeNe's and Peter's mouths? I'm just saying if they are on t.v. and kinda famous and why don't they go to the dentist and get their teeth fixed?

By: Racquel Dubb on 1/31/2011 4:48PM

Neutral

I never noticed but I know a LOT of people are afraid of the dentist... HAS ANYONE EVER SEEN REGGIE MILLER'S (RETIRED FROM THE PACER'S) TEETH? I'M SURE HE HAS MILLIONS BUT NEVER GOT THOSE "TRAIN TRACKS" LINED UP RIGHT! (unless he recently got them fixed)

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